How to Split Screen on iPad

When you work on your computer, you probably use more than one application at a time. If you also use an iPad, you can do the same. We will show you how to create a split screen on iPad with two functions.

By using Split View and Slide Over on your iPad, you can use more than one app at a time. There’s no opening and minimizing to see what you need right now. Place the apps side by side and multitask like a pro.

Note: These instructions are for iPads running iPadOS 15. If you have an older iPad that doesn’t support this version, take a look at our article on using Split View and Slide Over on iPad as the feature evolves over time Has.

Enable multitasking on iPad

If you’ve used multitasking on your iPad before, you know the old setting is gone. Previously, you could enable or disable the multitasking toggle in Settings > Home screen & Dock. This allowed you to disable features like Split View and Slide Over. If you have an older version of iPadOS, you’ll still see the setting.

However, with iPadOS 15 and newer, the setting is gone. Now just use the multitasking icon and menu whenever you want to use any of these features. This icon appears as three dots at the top of the app and expands with the options.

Open apps in split view

With your iPad in landscape orientation and an open app, tap the multitasking icon at the top. If you don’t see the three dots, the app doesn’t support multitasking.

Select the icon in the middle to enable split view.

You will then see the app move to the side of the screen with the rest of your home screen and dock visible. This allows you to choose the second app that you want to show on the other half of the screen.

When you open the next app, each appears equally in a split-screen view. You can drag the divider in the middle of the screen to the right or left to zoom in on one app and zoom out on the other.

If you have both apps on your screen at the same time, you can use them at the same time. Scroll Safari on the left while reading a text message on the right. Or view the calendar on one side while browsing the App Store on the other.

You can also drag items between the two apps, which is one of Split View’s most handy features. For example, you may see an image in the Photos app that you want to add to your email. Just drag the photo from his side of the screen to the email in the other.

Replace an app in Split View

If you’re using Split View, you might want to swap out the apps you’re using. You can replace one of the apps in this view with another.

Swipe down from the top of the app you want to remove.

You’ll then see that app drop out of view and the other app shrink to the other side of the screen, just like when you first entered Split View. Just find and open the app you want to replace the removed app with.

Turn off split view

If you want either app in full view again, you can simply remove the split screen view. Tap the multitasking icon for the app you want to keep open and select the solid box icon on the far left for full screen mode.

Alternatively, drag the divider in the middle to cover one of the apps you want to remove. This will put the other app in full screen mode.

You can then return to your home screen as usual.

Open apps in Slide Over

Slide Over is similar to Split View in that you can split your iPad’s screen between a few apps. The difference is that Slide Over keeps the second app on top of the other and to the side as shown below.

TIED TOGETHER: How to Use Floating Apps (Slide Over) on an iPad

With your iPad in landscape orientation and an open app, tap the multitasking icon at the top. Select the rightmost icon for Slide Over.

You will then see the app move away from the right side of the screen.

Select the next app you want to view. This app will then open to the side in full screen mode with the Slide Over app above it.

To move the Slide Over app, use the multitasking icon to drag it left or right. To hide the app, which is like closing it, slide it to the side of the screen. You will then see a gray tab that you can drag to reveal if you want.

Like Split View, Slide Over lets you move items between apps. Copy a file or photo from one Slide Over app to another by tapping, holding and dragging.

Close Slide Over

To stop using Slide Over, follow the same procedure as closing Split View. Put an app in full screen mode with the multitasking icon, then return to your home screen as usual.

Switch between Split View and Slide Over

If you’re using Split View and want to use an app in Slide Over instead, tap the multitasking icon for the app you want to change and select the Slide Over icon.

If you’re using Slide Over and want both apps in Split View, tap the multitasking icon for the app in Slide Over and select the Split View icon.

Then select the icon to place the app on the left or right side.

Use these handy built-in features to use split screens on your iPad. For more multitasking on iPad, make sure to use the center window and picture-in-picture features too!

TIED TOGETHER: How to use Picture-in-Picture (PiP) videos on an iPad